U.S. patent application number 12/362906 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for laryngoscope blade.
This patent application is currently assigned to TAPS, LLC. Invention is credited to Louise D. Raspallo.
Application Number | 20100198017 12/362906 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42398260 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100198017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Raspallo; Louise D. |
August 5, 2010 |
Laryngoscope Blade
Abstract
A medical device includes a laryngoscope having a handle
extending along a handle direction; and a blade connected to the
handle. The blade has an overall length along a longitudinal axis,
an overall width along a lateral axis, and an overall height along
a transverse axis, where the overall width is greater than the
overall height, the overall length is greater than the overall
width, and each of the axes is perpendicular to the other two axes.
The blade includes a proximal region extending along a plane
defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, and a
distal region that is curved laterally relative to the longitudinal
axis.
Inventors: |
Raspallo; Louise D.;
(Cumberland, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
TAPS, LLC
Lincoln
RI
|
Family ID: |
42398260 |
Appl. No.: |
12/362906 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/190 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 1/06 20130101; A61B
1/267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/190 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/267 20060101
A61B001/267 |
Claims
1. A device comprising: a laryngoscope blade having an overall
length along a longitudinal axis, an overall width along a lateral
axis, and an overall height along a transverse axis, where the
overall width is greater than the overall height, the overall
length is greater than the overall width, and each of the axes is
perpendicular to the other two axes; a proximal region of the blade
extending along a plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the
transverse axis; and a distal region of the blade curved laterally
relative to the longitudinal axis.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximal region is
substantially straight and extends parallel with the longitudinal
axis.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximal region is curved
transversely relative to the longitudinal axis.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal region is curved
laterally at an angle between about 0.degree. and about 60.degree.
relative to the longitudinal axis.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal region is curved
laterally to the right of the left-right axis of the patient when
fully inserted into a patient's oral cavity.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal region is about three
inches long.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a light source on the
blade and configured to provide illumination to the vocal cords
when the blade of the laryngoscope is properly inserted into the
patient.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the blade has an arcuate cross
section.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the blade has a rectilinear cross
section.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal region is curved
laterally at an angle of about 45.degree. relative to the
longitudinal axis.
11. A medical device, comprising: a laryngoscope comprising: a
handle; and a blade connected to the handle, the blade having an
overall length along a longitudinal axis, an overall width along a
lateral axis, and an overall height along a transverse axis, where
the overall width is greater than the overall height, the overall
length is greater than the overall width, and each of the axes is
perpendicular to the other two axes, wherein the blade includes a
proximal region extending along a plane defined by the longitudinal
axis and the transverse axis, and a distal region that is curved
laterally relative to the longitudinal axis.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the proximal region is
substantially straight and extends parallel with the longitudinal
axis.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein the proximal region is curved
transversely relative to the longitudinal axis.
14. The device of claim 11, wherein the distal region is curved
laterally at an angle between 0.degree.-60.degree. relative to the
longitudinal axis.
15. The device of claim 11, wherein the distal region is curved
laterally to the right of the left-right axis of the patient when
fully inserted into a patient's oral cavity.
16. The device of claim 11, wherein the distal region is about
three inches long.
17. The device of claim 11, further comprising a light source on
the blade and configured to provide illumination to the vocal cords
when the blade of the laryngoscope is properly inserted into the
patient.
18. The device of claim 11, wherein the blade has an arcuate cross
section.
19. The device of claim 11, wherein the blade has a rectilinear
cross section.
20. A method comprising: inserting a distal region of a
laryngoscope blade into an oral cavity of the patient so that the
distal region is on a first side of a sagittal plane of the
patient, a proximal region of the laryngoscope blade is on a second
opposite side of the sagittal plane of the patient, and the
proximal region extends parallel to the sagittal plane of the
patient; and advancing the distal region far enough into the oral
cavity to provide a view of the vocal cords such that the proximal
region of the laryngoscope blade remains on the second opposite
side of the sagittal plane of the patient.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: advancing an
endotracheal tube through the oral cavity using the laryngoscope
blade to enable a viewing of the vocal cords.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein advancing the distal region
into the oral cavity includes advancing the distal region into the
vallecula of the patient between the base of the tongue and the
pharyngeal surface of the epiglottis.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein advancing the distal region
into the oral cavity includes advancing the distal region such that
the distal region is posterior to the laryngeal surface and the
epiglottis.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This description relates to a laryngoscope blade.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A laryngoscope is a medical instrument that is used to
obtain a view of the vocal folds or cords and the glottis, which is
the space between the cords. A rigid laryngoscope is utilized by
anesthesia personnel for endotracheal intubation typically consists
of a handle incorporating a power source such as batteries and an
interchangeable blade with a bulb light source. Laryngoscopes used
by otolaryngologists are found in many variations, used for various
specialized tasks during endoscopy or surgery of the upper
aerodigestive tract. The two main types of laryngoscope blades are
the curved Macintosh blade and the straight Miller blade. The
Macintosh blade sits anterior to the epiglottis and raises the
epiglottis out of the visual pathway, while the Miller blade sits
posterior to the epiglottis, trapping the epiglottis while exposing
the glottis and vocal folds.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one general aspect, a device includes a laryngoscope
blade having an overall length along a longitudinal axis, an
overall width along a lateral axis, and an overall height along a
transverse axis, where the overall width is greater than the
overall height and the overall length is greater than the overall
width. Each of the axes is perpendicular to the other two axes. A
proximal region of the blade extends along a plane defined the
longitudinal axis and the transverse axis; and a distal region of
the blade is curved laterally relative to the longitudinal
axis.
[0004] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the proximal region can be substantially
straight and can extend parallel with the longitudinal axis.
Alternatively, the proximal region can be curved transversely
relative to the longitudinal axis.
[0005] The distal region can be curved laterally at an angle
between about 0.degree. and about 60.degree. relative to the
longitudinal axis. The distal region can be curved laterally at an
angle of about 45.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis. The
distal region can be curved laterally to the right of the
left-right axis of the patient when fully inserted into a patient's
oral cavity.
[0006] The distal region can be about three inches long.
[0007] The device can include a light source on the blade that is
configured to provide illumination to the vocal cords when the
blade of the laryngoscope is properly inserted into the
patient.
[0008] The blade can have an arcuate cross section or a rectilinear
cross section.
[0009] In another general aspect, a medical device includes a
laryngoscope having a handle extending along a handle direction;
and a blade connected to the handle. The blade includes a length
along a longitudinal axis that is distinct from the handle
direction, a width along a lateral axis, and a height along a
transverse axis, where the width is greater than the height. The
blade also includes a proximal region extending along a plane
defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, and a
distal region that is curved laterally relative to the longitudinal
axis.
[0010] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. For example, the proximal region can be substantially
straight and can extend parallel with the longitudinal axis.
Alternatively, the proximal region can be curved transversely
relative to the longitudinal axis.
[0011] The distal region can be curved laterally at an angle
between 0.degree.-60.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis. The
distal region can be curved laterally to the right of the
left-right axis of the patient when fully inserted into a patient's
oral cavity. The distal region can be about three inches long.
[0012] The device can include a light source on the blade that is
configured to provide illumination to the vocal cords when the
blade of the laryngoscope is properly inserted into the
patient.
[0013] The blade can have an arcuate cross section or a rectilinear
cross section.
[0014] In another general aspect, a distal region of a laryngoscope
blade is inserted into an oral cavity of the patient so that the
distal region is on a first side of a sagittal plane of the
patient, a proximal region of the laryngoscope blade is on a second
opposite side of the sagittal plane of the patient, and the
proximal region extends parallel to the sagittal plane of the
patient. The distal region is advanced far enough into the oral
cavity to provide a view of the vocal cords such that the proximal
region of the laryngoscope blade remains on the second opposite
side of the sagittal plane of the patient.
[0015] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. For example, an endotracheal tube can be advanced through
the oral cavity using the laryngoscope blade to enable a viewing of
the vocal cords.
[0016] The distal region can be advanced into the oral cavity by
advancing the distal region into the vallecula of the patient
between the base of the tongue and the pharyngeal surface of the
epiglottis. Alternatively, the distal region can be advanced into
the oral cavity by advancing the distal region such that the distal
region is posterior to the laryngeal surface and the
epiglottis.
[0017] Other features and advantages will be apparent from the
description, the drawings, and the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1A is an anterior plan view of a laryngoscope
blade;
[0019] FIG. 1B is a side view of the laryngoscope blade of FIG.
1A;
[0020] FIG. 1C is a posterior plan view of the laryngoscope blade
of FIG. 1A;
[0021] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the laryngoscope blade
of FIGS. 1A-C taken along line D-D shown in FIG. 1B;
[0022] FIG. 2A is a top view of a patient in which the laryngoscope
blade of FIGS. 1A-D is partially inserted;
[0023] FIG. 2B is a top view of a patient in which the laryngoscope
blade of FIGS. 1A-D is fully inserted;
[0024] FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of a patient in which
the laryngoscope blade of FIGS. 1A-D is partially inserted;
[0025] FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view of a close-up of the
patient of FIG. 3A;
[0026] FIG. 3C is a side cross-sectional view of a patient in which
the laryngoscope blade of FIGS. 1A-D is fully inserted;
[0027] FIG. 3D is a side cross-sectional view of a close-up of the
patient of FIG. 3C;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a view of the larynx of the patient in FIGS. 2B
and 3B as viewed by the clinician illustrating a comparative view
of the vocal cordsthrough the laryngoscope blade of FIGS. 1A-D;
[0029] FIG. 5A is an anterior plan view of a laryngoscope
blade;
[0030] FIG. 5B is a side view of the laryngoscope blade of FIG.
5A;
[0031] FIG. 5C is a posterior plan view of the laryngoscope blade
of FIG. 5A;
[0032] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the laryngoscope blade
of FIGS. 5A-C taken along line D-D shown in FIG. 5B;
[0033] FIG. 6A is a top view of a patient in which the laryngoscope
blade of FIGS. 5A-D is partially inserted;
[0034] FIG. 6B is a top view of a patient in which the laryngoscope
blade of FIGS. 5A-D is fully inserted;
[0035] FIG. 7A is a side cross-sectional view of a patient in which
the laryngoscope blade of FIGS. 5A-D is partially inserted;
[0036] FIG. 7B is a side cross-sectional view of a close-up of the
patient of FIG. 7A;
[0037] FIG. 7C is a side cross-sectional view of a patient in which
the laryngoscope blade of FIGS. 5A-D is fully inserted;
[0038] FIG. 7D is a side cross-sectional view of a close-up of the
patient of FIG. 7C;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a view of the larynx of the patient in FIGS. 6B
and 7B as viewed by the clinician illustrating a comparative view
of the vocal cords through the laryngoscope blade of FIGS. 5A-D;
and
[0040] FIGS. 9A and 9B are side cross-sectional views of the
patient in which the laryngoscope blade of, respectively, FIG. 3B
and FIG. 7B, is fully inserted in the patient and an endotracheal
tube is inserted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D, a laryngoscope blade 100 is
designed to enable a clinician (for example, a physician, a nurse
anesthetist, or an anesthesiologist) to more easily maneuver the
blade 100 within a patient and to visualize the vocal cords of the
patient. The patient can be a human patient or a non-human animal
(in which case the clinician would be a veterinarian or a
technician). The blade 100 is made of a material, for example, a
metal such as stainless steel or a plastic, that is rigid enough to
enable insertion into the oral cavity of the patient.
[0042] The blade 100 includes a proximal region 105 that extends
along a plane defined by a longitudinal axis 110 and a transverse
axis 125. When the blade 100 is inserted into the patient, the
proximal region 105 is in the plane defined by the anteroposterior
axis and the superior-inferior axis of the patient. Additionally,
in this design, the proximal region 105 extends generally parallel
with the longitudinal axis 110. The blade 100 also includes a
distal region 115 that is curved at an angle 120 relative to the
longitudinal axis 110 of the blade 100 about a transverse axis 125
that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 110 and to a
left-right axis of the patient when the blade 100 is inserted into
the patient. The distal region 115 of the blade 100 generally
extends within the plane defined by the longitudinal axis 110 and a
lateral axis 130 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
110, though the distal region 115 can also be slightly curved along
the transverse axis 125 relative to the longitudinal axis 110, as
shown in FIG. 1B, by an angle of between 0-20.degree., for example.
The lateral axis 130 is parallel with the left-right axis of the
patient when the blade 100 is inserted into the patient. Moreover,
the transverse axis 125 is in the plane defined by the
anteroposterior axis and the superior-inferior axis of the patient
when the blade 100 is inserted into the patient. For clarity, all
human directional axes used herein are in reference to medical
directional terms, and the human directional axes are shown in
FIGS. 2A-3D.
[0043] The blade 100 also includes a light source 102 such as a
halogen or a xenon bulb or a fiber optic delivery system. The light
source 102 is positioned in the distal region 115 of the blade 100
and along an edge of the region 115 to provide sufficient light to
enable the clinician to view the vocal cords when the blade 100 is
inserted into the patient's oral cavity. Thus, the light source 102
can be positioned at the edge that is nearer to the vocal cords
when the blade 100 is inserted into the patient's oral cavity. In
the design shown herein, the light source 102 is positioned at a
right edge 103 (relative to the patient's directional left-right
axis) of the blade 100.
[0044] The angle 120 can be between about 0.degree. and about
60.degree., and the value of the angle 120 is chosen to enable the
clinician to more easily view the vocal cords of the patient after
insertion of the blade 100 into the patient, as will be discussed
and shown in greater detail below. For example, the angle 120 can
be about 45.degree. (for example, 45.degree..+-.2.degree.). As
shown in FIG. 1D, the blade 100 has an arcuate cross section taken
along the lateral axis 130.
[0045] The blade 100 includes an adapter 135 that is designed to
connect both mechanically and electrically with a handle 137 (shown
in FIGS. 2A-3D). The adapter 135 includes a contact 140 that makes
electrical contact with a contact on the handle 137 when a hook 145
of the adapter 135 loops over a bar in an adapter (not shown) of
the handle and one or more knobs 150 are slid into engagement with
notches in the handle adapter (not shown). Additionally, the handle
137 includes a power supply such as a battery that supplies power
to the light source 102 of the blade 100 when the contact 140
electrically connects with the handle contact.
[0046] The overall length 155 of the blade 100 taken along the
longitudinal axis 110 can be about 6.125'', the width 160 of the
blade 100 taken along the lateral axis 130 can be about 0.650'',
and the overall width 165 of the adapter 135 taken along the
lateral axis 130 can be about 0.875'' for an adult medium sized
blade. The overall height 161 of the blade 100 taken along the
transverse axis 125 can be about 0.5''. The width 165 is greater
than the height 161. The length of the distal region 115 taken
along the direction that is at the angle 120 relative to the
longitudinal axis 110 can be about 3''.
[0047] Referring also to FIGS. 2A-4, when the blade 100 is
initially inserted into a patient 200, the lateral axis 130 is
generally parallel with the left-right axis 205 of the patient 200,
the transverse axis 125 is generally aligned with the
superior-inferior axis 210 of the patient 200, and the longitudinal
axis 110 is generally aligned with the anteroposterior axis 215 of
the patient 200. The alignment of the blade 100 at all stages of
the procedure is governed by the placement by the clinician;
accordingly, the clinician's placement may not be exact due to
human error, so that the alignment is really within a margin of
human error. At this step in the procedure, the lateral axis 130
lies in the coronal plane, the transverse axis 125 is parallel with
and off set from the sagittal plane, and the longitudinal axis 110
is parallel with and off set from the sagittal plane of the
patient. When the blade 100 is fully inserted into the patient 200,
the lateral axis 130 is generally parallel with the left-right axis
205 of the patient 200, the transverse axis 125 is along a plane
that is defined by the superior-inferior axis 210 and the
anteroposterior axis 215 of the patient 200, the longitudinal axis
110 is also along a plane that is defined by the superior-inferior
axis 210 and the anteroposterior axis 215.
[0048] Initially, the clinician inserts distal region 115 of the
blade 100 into the oral cavity 220 of the patient 200. As discussed
above, the distal region 115 is curved at the angle 120 relative to
the longitudinal axis 110 of the blade 100 about the transverse
axis 125. The clinician maneuvers the blade 100 so that the distal
region 115 is on the right side of a sagittal plane 225 of the
patient and the proximal region 105 is on the left side of the
sagittal plane 225 of the patient. The clinician is able to push
the patient's tongue 230 to the left of the sagittal plane 225 as
the distal region 115 is advanced through the oral cavity 220
because the proximal region 105 is generally on the left side of
the plane 225 and the proximal region 105 serves to hold the tongue
230 to the left of the plane 225. In this way, as the clinician
advances the distal region 115 far enough into the oral cavity 220
(as shown in FIGS. 2B, 3C, and 4) the clinician is provided with a
view of the vocal cords 240 and also the opening into the patient's
trachea 235 because the proximal region 105 remains generally on
the left side of the sagittal plane 225 of the patient 200.
Additionally, as the clinician advances the distal region 115 into
the oral cavity 220, the distal region 115 is positioned beneath
(that is, posterior to) the laryngeal surface 240 and the
epiglottis 245 to push the epiglottis toward the base of the tongue
230 and block the vallecula 250.
[0049] Accordingly, by moving the proximal region 105 and the
tongue 230 to the left side of the sagittal plane 225, the
clinician obtains a significant increase in space near the plane
225 when compared with blades that lack a distal region 115 that is
curved laterally relative to the longitudinal axis 110 to enable
better visualization of the vocal cords 240 and provide better
maneuverability of the endotracheal tube through the oral cavity
220 without interference from the tongue 230 or the blade 100.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, an alternative laryngoscope blade
500 is designed to enable a clinician (for example, a physician, a
nurse anesthetist, or an anesthesiologist) to more easily maneuver
the blade 500 within a patient and to visualize the vocal cords of
the patient. The patient can be a human patient or a non-human
animal (in which case the clinician would be a veterinarian or a
technician). The blade 500 is made of a material, for example, a
metal such as stainless steel or a plastic, that is rigid enough to
enable insertion into the oral cavity of the patient.
[0051] The blade 500 includes a proximal region 505 that extends
along a plane defined by a longitudinal axis 510 and a transverse
axis 525. When the blade 500 is inserted into the patient, the
proximal region 505 is in the plane defined by the anteroposterior
axis and the superior-inferior axis of the patient. The proximal
region 505 can include at least a section 508 that is generally
parallel with the longitudinal axis 510. The blade 500 also
includes a distal region 515 that is curved at an angle 520
relative to the longitudinal axis 510 of the blade 500 about a
transverse axis 525 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
510 and to a left-right axis of the patient when the blade 500 is
inserted into the patient. The distal region 515 and the proximal
region 505 of the blade 100 can both be curved along the transverse
axis 525 and about a lateral axis 530, as shown in FIG. 5B. The
lateral axis 530 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 510 and
is parallel with the left-right axis of the patient when the blade
500 is inserted into the patient. Moreover, the transverse axis 525
is in the plane defined by the anteroposterior axis and the
superior-inferior axis of the patient when the blade 500 is
inserted into the patient. For clarity, all human directional axes
used herein are in reference to medical directional terms, and the
human directional axes are shown in FIGS. 6A-7B.
[0052] The blade 500 also includes a light source 502 such as a
halogen or a xenon bulb or a fiber optic delivery system. The light
source 502 is positioned near the distal region 515 of the blade
500 to provide sufficient light to enable the clinician to view the
vocal cords when the blade 500 is inserted into the patient's oral
cavity. Thus, the light source 502 can be positioned at the edge
that is nearer to the vocal cords when the blade 500 is inserted
into the patient's oral cavity. In the design shown herein, the
light source 502 is positioned to face a right edge 503 (relative
to the patient's directional left-right axis) of the blade 500.
[0053] The angle 520 can be between about 0.degree. and about
60.degree., and the value of the angle 520 is chosen to enable the
clinician to more easily view the vocal cords of the patient after
insertion of the blade 500 into the patient, as will be discussed
and shown in greater detail below. For example, the angle 520 can
be about 45.degree. (for example, 45.degree..+-.2.degree.). As
shown in FIG. 5D, the blade 500 has rectilinear cross section taken
along the lateral axis 530. A rectilinear cross section means that
the blade cross section has one or more straight lines that can
mate with soft edges. The blade 500 includes a transverse planar
portion 585 that extends between an upper lateral portion 590 and a
lower lateral portion 595.
[0054] The blade 500 includes at a proximal end an adapter 535 that
is designed to connect both mechanically and electrically with a
handle 537 (shown in FIGS. 6A-7B). The adapter 535 includes a
contact 540 that makes electrical contact with a contact on the
handle 537 when a hook 545 of the adapter 535 loops over a bar in
an adapter (not shown) of the handle 537 and one or more knobs 550
are slid into engagement with notches in the handle adapter (not
shown). Additionally, the handle 537 includes a power supply such
as a battery that supplies power to the light source 502 of the
blade 500 when the contact 540 electrically connects with the
handle contact. The blade 500 also includes a rounded distal tip
580 at a distal end of the distal region 515.
[0055] The overall length 555 of the blade 500 taken along the
longitudinal axis 510 can be about 5.063'', the overall width 560
of the blade 500 taken along the lateral axis 530 can be about
1.00'', the width 562 of the upper lateral portion 590 of the blade
500 taken along the lateral axis 530 can be about 0.410'', and a
width 565 of the adapter 535 taken along the lateral axis 530
(which is the sum of the widths of the upper lateral portion 590
and the lower lateral portion 595) can be about 0.875'' for an
adult medium sized blade. The overall height 561 of the blade 500
can vary along the longitudinal axis 510 so that it is larger near
the adapter 535 than near the distal tip 580. For example, the
height 561 shown in FIG. 5B is about 0.625''. Nevertheless, the
width 560 is greater than the height 561 at any location along the
longitudinal axis 510. The length of the distal region 515 taken
along the direction that is at the angle 520 relative to the
longitudinal axis 510 can be about 3''.
[0056] Referring also to FIGS. 6A-8, when the blade 500 is
initially inserted into the patient 200, the lateral axis 530 is
generally parallel with the left-right axis 205 of the patient 200,
the transverse axis 525 is generally aligned with the
superior-inferior axis 210 of the patient 200, and the longitudinal
axis 510 is generally aligned with the anteroposterior axis 215 of
the patient 200. As noted above, the alignment of the blade 500 is
governed by the placement of the clinician and therefore it may be
within an acceptable range as long as the blade 500 is placed in a
manner that does not harm the patient but also enables the
clinician to insert the blade 500 to view the patient's vocal
cords. When the blade 500 is fully inserted into the patient 200,
the lateral axis 530 is generally parallel with the left-right axis
205 of the patient 200, the transverse axis 525 is along a plane
that is defined by the superior-inferior axis 210 and the
anteroposterior axis 215 of the patient 200, the longitudinal axis
510 is also along a plane that is defined by the superior-inferior
axis 210 and the anteroposterior axis 215.
[0057] Initially, the clinician inserts distal region 515 of the
blade 500 into the oral cavity 220 of the patient 200. As discussed
above, the distal region 515 is curved at the angle 520 relative to
the longitudinal axis 510 of the blade 500 about the transverse
axis 525. The clinician maneuvers the blade 500 so that the distal
region 515 is on the right side of the sagittal plane 225 of the
patient 200 and the proximal region 505 is on the left side of the
sagittal plane 225 of the patient 200. The clinician is able to
push the patient's tongue 230 to the left of the sagittal plane 225
as the distal region 515 is advanced through the oral cavity 220
because the proximal region 505 is generally on the left side of
the plane 225 and the proximal region 505 serves to hold the tongue
230 to the left of the plane 225. In this way, as the clinician
advances the distal region 515 far enough into the oral cavity 220
(as shown in FIGS. 6B, 7B, and 8) the clinician is provided with a
view of the vocal cords 240 and also the opening into the patient's
trachea 235 as the proximal region 505 remains generally on the
left side of the sagittal plane 225 of the patient 200.
Additionally, as the clinician advances the distal region 515 into
the oral cavity 220, the distal tip 580 is positioned above (that
is, anterior to) the epiglottis 245 and rests inside the vallecula
250.
[0058] Accordingly, by moving the proximal region 505 and the
tongue 230 to the left side of the sagittal plane 225, the
clinician obtains a significant increase in space near the plane
225 when compared with blades that lack a distal region 515 that is
curved laterally relative to the longitudinal axis 510 to enable
better visualization of the vocal cords 240 and provide better
maneuverability of the endotracheal tube through the oral cavity
220 without interference from the tongue 230 or the blade 500.
[0059] Referring also to FIGS. 9A and 9B, in both cases, the
clinician can use the laryngoscope blade 100 or 500 to maneuver an
endotracheal tube 900 after the blade 100, 500 has been properly
inserted into the patient's oral cavity 220. In this case, the
clinician advances the endotracheal tube 900 through the oral
cavity 220, along and past the laryngoscope blade 100, 500, through
the vocal cords 240, and into the trachea 235.
[0060] Other implementations are within the scope of the following
claims. For example, the laryngoscope blade can be made of any
material (such as plastic or metal) that is suitable for the
particular application in which the blade will be used, for
example, to expose the vocal cords 240.
[0061] In the blades 100, 500 shown above, the angles 120, 520 are
toward the right side of the sagittal plane 225 of the patient 200.
However, the blades 100, 500 could be designed as mirror images
about the sagittal plane 225 of the patient 200 as the blades shown
herein and in such mirror imaged designs, the angles 120, 520 would
be toward the left side of the sagittal plane 225 of the patient
200. Such a mirror imaged design might be useful for clinicians who
are left handed.
[0062] The blades 100, 500 can have cross sections other than the
arcuate and rectilinear cross sections shown above.
[0063] The laryngoscope blade can have a length and a width that is
suitable for the particular application of the blade. For example,
a blade to be used on an infant can have a smaller size than the
sizes given above in reference to the blades 100, 500, a blade to
be used on a large adult can have a larger size than the sizes
given above in reference to the blades 100, 500. For example,
laryngoscope blades such as Miller and Macintosh blades come in a
range of sizes that are suitable for use on a premature baby, an
infant, a child, an average adult, and a large adult,
respectively.
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